NCJ Number
197834
Journal
Offender Programs Report Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: September/October 2002 Pages: 35-36,47
Editor(s)
Russ Immarigeon M.S.W
Date Published
September 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the planning and implementation of Pennsylvania’s Family Virtual Visitation Program, the use of video conferencing to help sustain and grow family relationships during incarceration.
Abstract
The use of video conferencing for incarcerated inmates has been used for inmates to attend court hearings, reducing the costs and risks of transporting inmates to court. Video conferencing has been discussed for possible use during inmate medial examinations. Today, video conferencing can be used to increase inmate-family contact and strengthen inmate connections to the outside world. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) in partnership with the Pennsylvania Prison Society established Pennsylvania’s Family Virtual Visitation Program. The program is funded through a 3-year Federal grant through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. This effort was developed to aid in sustaining the growth of family relationships of those incarcerated. It is presently available in 4 of the State’s 26 prisons from a visitation site in Philadelphia with expansion intended for 4 more prisons and a second visitation site. Priority for virtual visitation is given to inmates who have participated in parenting skills classes and other family-oriented programs. Participating in the virtual visitation program has been viewed as an effective inmate management tool. Better behavior from inmates involved in the program has been identified, as well as inmates providing positive feedback, indicating program success. However, the program has not come about without encountering obstacles, such as whether to allow program participation by sex offenders, and future funding. Part of the success of the program is that few, if any negative incidents have taken place in the first year of operation.